Preparations have begun to demolish a former coastguard cottage left teetering on the edge of chalk cliffs following erosion. The end-of-terrace property at the top of Birling Gap, near Eastbourne, EastSussex, is just six inches (15cm) from the end of the cliff.

A five-strong team of demolition men has started four weeks' worth of work to bring down the privately-owned cottage before it is swept away.